The Effects of Calcium Dobesilate(Doxium) on the Electroretinogram in Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of calcium dobesilate (Doxium) on the electroretinographic changes in 60 non-insulin dependent diabetic patients with mild to moderate diabetic retinopathy, randomly assigned to receive either oral calcium dobesilate l000mg twice 8 day for 6 months or without medication. And also the effects of blood HbAlc and retinal photocoaglulation on the electroretinographic changes were evaluated. All patients were tested electroretinography with UTAS-2000 (LKC co., USA) before treatment and six months later respectively. The time interval changes of the electroretinogram were analyzed with student t-test program. As a result, no interval changes of the electroretinographic b-wave amplitudes and b/a ratio were noted in both groups, but the oscillatory potentials were significantly decreased after 6 months in the non-treated group (p0.002). As compared to calcium dobesilate treated group, the non-treated group with blood HbAlc over 6.5mg% (p0.008) or treated with retinal photocoagulation (p0.001) showed a significant decrease of the oscillatory potentials. In conclusion, the administration of calcium dobesilate in the patients with diabetic retinopathy prevents an oscillatory potentials reduction, especially in patients with blood level of HbAlc below 6. 5mg% or treated with retinal photocoagulation.